A Christian family in Pakistan’s Punjab province is struggling to reclaim their religious identity after a debt-related forced conversion. Sufyan Masih, a laborer at a brick kiln, has revealed that government records now list his family as Muslim, preventing his children from being registered under their actual faith, Christianity.
Conversion Forced By Money
The problem began 15 years ago due to a financial crisis. Sufyan’s father, Sadiq Masih, needed Rs 4 Lakh to pay for his wife’s medical treatment. In the brick kiln industry, owners often provide "advances" that trap poor workers in debt. When Sadiq could not pay, he was allegedly pressured into converting to Islam to ease his situation.
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The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) officially changed his name to "Muhammad Sadiq." Although the family continued to live as Christians and practice their faith at home, the government database never reverted the change.
Struggle For ID Cards
The issue has now reached a breaking point for the third generation. In Pakistan, a child's legal religion is determined by their parents' records. Because Sadiq is listed as a Muslim in the system, NADRA officials have told Sufyan that his five children cannot be registered as Christians. They are only allowed to receive National Identity Cards (CNIC) if they agree to be listed as Muslims.
Sufyan argues that his father was an uneducated man who was exploited during a time of extreme poverty. He insists that his children should not have to lie about their faith on official documents just to get an ID card.
Minority Rights In Pakistan
Sufiyan Masih's family is now calling on the government to correct the records and restore Sadiq’s original name and religion. This case highlights a larger pattern of religious persecution in Pakistan. International reports consistently rank Pakistan as one of the most difficult places for Christians to live, citing forced conversions and the exploitation of minority laborers who are trapped by systemic debt.